do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2982/98 by John McCARTIN National aid packages to pig meat producers
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: European Parliament, MCCARTIN
Subjects: France, Germany, State aid, aid to agriculture, control of State aid, livestock farming, single market, swine

C 320/20

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.11.1999

This means that producer organisations may already apply any specific regulatory measure to tropical fruits.
Operational funds may be used for this purpose, whether for intervention (subject to the limits laid down by
Regulation (EC) 2200/96) or for measures under operational programmes to improve quality, develop
marketing or promote these products.

The Commission therefore considers that the existing instruments provide an answer to the problems of
regulating the production and marketing of tropical fruits.

Furthermore, Regulation (EC) 2200/96 provides for the introduction of specific measures to increase
competitiveness and promote certain products of great local importance and facing strong international
competition where the normal instruments of the market organisation are inadequate or unsuitable.

The Commission has no data other than those regularly published by the statistical offices of the various
Member States and by Eurostat. There is little information on recent changes in the areas planted to tropical
fruits and the quantities harvested. Apart from avocados and bananas, the tropical fruit most produced in the
Community is pineapples, which amount to almost 40 000 tonnes (the equivalent of 1 300 hectares) in the
French overseas departments (of which 75 % is accounted for by Martinique) and about 2 000 tonnes in
Portugal. The production of mangoes (mainly in Réunion: 3 500 tonnes on 200 hectares) and papayas is still
only marginal.

(1) OJ L 297, 21.11.1996.

(1999/C 320/026)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2982/98

by John McCartin (PPE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: National aid packages to pig meat producers

Will the Commission comment on the recent packages of national aid for pigmeat producers announced by
the French and German Governments and state whether such national aids are in keeping with the principles
of the single market for agricultural produce?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(23 October 1998)

The Commission has contacted the French and German authorities to request detailed information about the
support measures for the pig sector announced by the Member States concerned, in order to determine
whether these measures include state aid, and if so whether the aid can be considered compatible with Articles
92-94 of the EC Treaty.

(1999/C 320/027)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2985/98

by John McCartin (PPE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Headage and premium payments in Ireland

Is the Commission aware of the severe hardship being suffered by farmers in Ireland, particularly in the West
because of the abnormally heavy rainfall and will the Commission consider bringing forward headage and
premium payments to relieve the hardship on family farms?
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2946/98 by Umberto BOSSI Delays on the part of the Italian Government in setting up a guarantee fund for SMEs
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: BOSSI, European Parliament
Subjects: EU aid, Italy, Member States' contribution, aid to undertakings, credit guarantee, small and medium-sized enterprises













EUR-Lex - 91998E2946 - EN






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91998E2946

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2946/98 by Umberto BOSSI Delays on the part of the Italian Government in setting up a guarantee fund for SMEs  


Official Journal C 289 , 11/10/1999 P. 0015 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2946/98by Umberto Bossi (NI) to the Commission(8 October 1998)Subject: Delays on the part of the Italian Government in setting up a guarantee fund for SMEsThe Ecofin Council has approved the allocation of EUR 420 million to various measures aimed at SMEs, including a loan-guarantee fund requiring a financial contribution from the Member States.The Italian Minister for Industry has initiated a yet to be concluded legislative procedure for the adoption of a decree establishing a national guarantee fund to match the European fund. The Italian fund should have been available by mid-September, but the decree is not expected to be issued in the near future.Owing to the failure to issue the necessary decree, Italian SMEs are once again unable to take advantage of European aid, which will instead go to Member States quicker to react in introducing the instruments required to be able to benefit from the opportunities provided by the Community. The delays on the part of the Italian Government thus penalise only the potential beneficiaries of Community aid - in this case SMEs.How does the Commission intend to protect the interests of SMEs placed at a disadvantage by their government's failure to take the necessary legislative action in good time?What action does it intend to take vis-à-vis those governments which fail to adopt appropriate measures, thus penalising businesses in their own countries?Answer by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission(25 November 1998)In adopting Decision 98/343/EC of 19 May 1998 on measures of financial assistance for innovative and job-creating small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)(1), the Council approved funding of ECU 420 million to finance three facilities: a risk-capital scheme, a support scheme for the creation of trans-national joint ventures and a guarantee scheme. A sum of ECU 150-190 million was set aside for the guarantee scheme. The Commmission subsequently signed an agreement with the European Investment Fund (EIF) for the implementation of the first and third schemes.On 1 October 1998 the Commission published(2) the implementing measures and selection criteria of Member State guarantee systems in the public and private sectors, including mutual guarantee arrangements. Intermediaries will be able to submit proposals on the basis of this publication. The EIF will consult with the authorities in each Member State, including Italy, before finalising its selection of intermediaries.(1) OJ L 155, 29.5.1998.(2) OJ C 302, 1.10.1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3025/98 by Phillip WHITEHEAD to the Commission. Gas and fire liability
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: European Parliament, WHITEHEAD
Subjects: Council of the European Union, EC recommendation, EU law - national law, consumer information, fire, fire protection, hotel industry, inflammable product, tourism

14.5.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 135/153

(1999/C 135/190)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3025/98

by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Gas and fire liability

Will the Commission reconsider the need for a proposal on service liability to complement the existing
Directive on product liability?

In addition, has the Commission undertaken any research into how information on fire safety might best
be applied to consumers in holiday accommodation and does the Commission consider that there is a case
to mandate the existing Recommendation on Fire Safety?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(5 November 1998)

In the context of consumer safety protection, and the internal market, the Commission intends to
reconsider and explore the needs, scope, options, approaches and possible contents for Community action
in the field of service safety. Preventive aspects of the safety of services will be considered as well as
reparative aspects linked to liability.

The Commission intends to launch studies for an updated assessment of the issue as soon as possible.

The necessary contacts with Member States’ experts and interest groups will take place in the course of
these studies.

Safety information is already part of Council Recommendation 86/666/EEC of 22 December 1986 on fire
safety in existing hotels (1). The Commission does not plan to launch specific research on that subject.

Following a Resolution by Parliament on fire safety in hotels (2) a study on the state of the implementation
of the Recommendation in the Member States shows that the Recommendation has been extensively
implemented in national legislation. The Commission does not, therefore, envisage proposing that this
Recommendation becomes mandatory.

For further information on this point, the Honourable Member is referred to Written Question E-1423/97
by Mrs Pollack (3).

Safety in hotels could nevertheless be examined when considering the safety of services and taken into
account in the studies to be carried out in this context.

(1) OJ L 384, 31.12.1986.
(2) OJ C 205, 25.7.1994.
(3) OJ C 45, 10.2.1998.

(1999/C 135/191)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3029/98

by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Obstacles to the free movement of products containing precious metals

Since there is no specific Community directive to harmonise the manufacture and marketing of products
containing precious metals, some EU Member States are using their domestic legal regulations to obstruct
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2970/98 by Cristiana MUSCARDINI to the Commission. Infringement of the Directive on the award of public service contracts
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: European Parliament, MUSCARDINI
Subjects: Italy, award of contract, infringement of EU law, provision of services, public contract, single market, works contract

21.5.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 142/63

(1999/C 142/077)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2966/98

by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Electronic eavesdropping

According to the French magazine Marianne, the French secret service carries out electronic eavesdrop-
ping in America and Europe. The magazine reports that the Germans buy these services from the French.

Is the Commission aware of such activity, which is reminiscent of the Echelon system operated by the US
NSA and used by GCHQ in England and is likely to constitute a violation of laws on individual liberty?
What will the Commission do to safeguard citizens’ rights?

Will the Commission soon reply to the priority question which I tabled several months ago (time limit for
reply: 1 month) concerning the Echelon system?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(12 November 1998)

The Honourable Member is referred to the Commission’s answer to his written question P-1894/98, (1)
which was given on 29 September 1998.

(1) See page (à compléter svp).

(1999/C 142/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2970/98

by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: Infringement of the Directive on the award of public service contracts

With reference to my earlier question E-4217/97 (1), the Commission’s reply of 16 February 1998 and DG
XV’s note No 4833, addressed to the leaders of the minority parties on Mantua town council, which
announces the Commission’s intention to take no further action on their complaint in view of the
information supplied by the Italian Government, could the Commission state whether:

1.

2.

3.

it is aware of the successive petitions lodged by the leader of the opposition on the town council with a
view to precipitating further inquiries?

on the basis of the facts alleged in those successive statements, it agrees that the information provided
by the Government is incomplete and inaccurate?

it agrees that it would be reprehensible to condone a substantive infringement of Directive 92/50 (2),
which might set a regrettable precedent as regards the need for strict compliance with the rules
governing the award of public service contracts?

(1) OJ C 354, 19.11.1998, p. 2.
(2) OJ L 209, 24.7.1992, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 1998)

1.
The Commission has examined the letter it received from the opposition councillors on Mantua town
council in response to the communication announcing its intention to take no further action on this affair.

After studying the above-mentioned letter in detail, the Commission did not feel that it contained any

2.
convincing new information which might cast doubt on the statements made by the Italian authorities.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3046/98 by Honório NOVO , Joaquim MIRANDA , Sérgio RIBEIRO to the Commission. Spanish hydrological plan
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: European Parliament, MIRANDA, NOVO, RIBEIRO
Subjects: Portugal, Spain, co-financing, environmental impact, frontier region, hydraulic works, hydrology, watercourse













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91998E3046

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3046/98 by Honório NOVO , Joaquim MIRANDA , Sérgio RIBEIRO to the Commission. Spanish hydrological plan  


Official Journal C 297 , 15/10/1999 P. 0045 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3046/98by Honório Novo (GUE/NGL) , Joaquim Miranda (GUE/NGL) and Sérgio Ribeiro (GUE/NGL) to the Commission(8 October 1998)Subject: Spanish hydrological planThe Spanish press reports that the government has submitted a hydrological mini-plan worth 216 000 million pesetas (approximately 260 000 million escudos) to parliament for urgent approval so as to allow community co-funding be sought.Amongst the construction projects involved in this mini-plan is the extension of the channel diverting water between the rivers Tagus and Segura, construction of which has not yet begun.The Tagus is an international river, and the carrying out of work affecting this water course - and specifically, diverting it - should be subject to prior discussion and agreement with the other countries concerned, name Portugal. Furthermore, works of this kind require in-depth environmental impact assessment, and according to the Spanish place no such studies have been carried out.Can the Commission answer the following:1. Has the Spanish government already submitted its request for co-funding for the work on extendedly channel between the Tagus and Segura?2. Is it going to accept this request for funding, without the project's having passed an environmental impact assessment and without the Portuguese government's having accepted that this channel should be built?Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission(4 December 1998)To date, the Commission has not received a request from the Spanish authorities for part-financing in connection with these works. If they are to be part-financed by the Community in due course, the Commission will be ensuring that the rules on eligibility and combination of funding are fully complied with, as well as all the legal provisions relating to the environment or arising from international obligations such as under the joint management of cross-border river basins.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2948/98 by Gerhard HAGER to the Commission. Secondary law in the field of immigration and asylum policy
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: European Parliament, HAGER
Subjects: EU policy, EU programme, Treaty on European Union, aid to refugees, foreign national, immigration, right of asylum













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91998E2948

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2948/98 by Gerhard HAGER to the Commission. Secondary law in the field of immigration and asylum policy  


Official Journal C 118 , 29/04/1999 P. 0172 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2948/98by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Commission(8 October 1998)Subject: Secondary law in the field of immigration and asylum policyAs the documents show, there have been some 70 Council legal acts in the field of immigration policy in the last few years.1. Which acts are involved, specifically? Please give details, with the appropriate references.2. Are there moves for more extensive coordination of the law?3. What is the Commission's explanation for the fact that the aim of "sustainably influencing the reality of migration through the European Union in an empirically verifiable manner"(1) has not, after all, succeeded?4. Where and how are data from the Centres for Information, Discussion and Exchange on Asylum and on the Crossing of Borders and Immigration accessible to the public or MEPs?Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission(19 November 1998)1. This question concerns acts adopted by the Council which are not based on the initiative of the Commission. The Honourable Member should therefore refer to the Council.2. The Honourable Member will recall that the Cardiff European Council of 15-16 June 1998 called on the Council and the Commission to submit at its meeting in Vienna on 11-12 December 1998 an action plan to implement the provisions of the Treaty of Amsterdam on an area of freedom, security and justice. A draft of such an action plan is under discussion in the coordinating committee set up under article K4 of the Treaty on European Union. As required by Article 63 of the consolidated EC Treaty, it will set out a five year programme on measures relating to asylum, refugees and displaced people, immigration policy and the rights of third country nationals who are legally resident in a Member State.3. For this question the Honourable Member should refer to the Presidency.4. This question relates to access to documents and has to be answered by the institutions concerned, in this case the Council.(1) Strategy paper on immigration and asylum policy 9809/98, ASIM 170 [unofficial English version of quotation as document not available - Translator's note].
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2172/98 of 8 October 1998 concerning tenders notified in response to the invitation to tender for the export of oats issued in Regulation (EC) No 2007/98
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: award of contract, export, oats

9. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 273/25

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2172/98

of 8 October 1998

concerning tenders notified in response to the invitation to tender for the export
of oats issued in Regulation (EC) No 2007/98

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92
of 30 June 1992 on the common organization of the
market in cereals (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC)
No 923/96 (2),

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1501/
95 of 29 June 1995 laying down certain detailed rules for
the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92
on the granting of export refunds on cereals and the
measures to be taken in the event of disturbance on the
market for cereals (3), as last amended by Regulation (EC)
No 2094/98 (4),

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 2007/
98 of 21 September 1998 on a special
intervention
measure for cereals in Finland and Sweden (5), and in
particular Article 8 thereof,

Whereas an invitation to tender for the refund for the
export of oats produced in Finland and Sweden for export
from Finland or Sweden to all third countries was opened
pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 2007/98;

Whereas Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 2007/98
provides that the Commission may, on the basis of the
tenders notified, in accordance with the procedure laid
down in Article 23 of Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92,
decide to make no award;

Whereas on the basis of the criteria laid down in Article 1
of Regulation (EC) No 1501/95 a maximum refund
should not be fixed;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are
the Management
in accordance with the opinion of
Committee for Cereals,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

No action shall be taken on the tenders notified from 2 to
8 October 1998 in response to the invitation to tender for
the refund for the export of oats issued in Regulation (EC)
No 2007/98.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 9 October 1998.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
States.

Done at Brussels, 8 October 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 181, 1. 7. 1992, p. 21.
(2) OJ L 126, 24. 5. 1996, p. 37.
(3) OJ L 147, 30. 6. 1995, p. 7.
(4) OJ L 266, 1. 10. 1998, p. 61.
(5) OJ L 258, 22. 9. 1998, p. 13.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2173/98 of 8 October 1998 concerning tenders notified in response to the invitation to tender for the export of rye issued in Regulation (EC) No 1746/98
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: award of contract, export, rye

L 273/26

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

9. 10. 98

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2173/98

of 8 October 1998

concerning tenders notified in response to the invitation to tender for the export
of rye issued in Regulation (EC) No 1746/98

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92
of 30 June 1992 on the common organisation of the
market in cereals (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC)
No 923/96 (2),

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1501/
95 of 29 June 1995 laying down certain detailed rules for
the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92
on the granting of export refunds on cereals and the
measures to be taken in the event of disturbance on the
market for cereals (3), as last amended by Regulation (EC)
No 2094/98 (4), and in particular Article 7 thereof,

Whereas an invitation to tender for the refund and/or the
tax for the export of rye to all third countries was opened
pursuant to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1746/98 (5);

Whereas Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1501/95 allows
the Commission to decide, in accordance with the pro-
cedure laid down in Article 23 of Regulation (EEC) No

1766/92 and on the basis of the tenders notified, to make
no award;

Whereas on the basis of the criteria laid down in Article 1
of Regulation (EC) No 1501/95 a maximum refund or
minimum tax should not be fixed;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are
in accordance with the opinion of
the Management
Committee for Cereals,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

No action shall be taken on the tenders notified from 2 to
8 October 1998 in response to the invitation to tender for
the refund or the tax for the export of rye issued in
Regulation (EC) No 1746/98.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 9 October 1998.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
States.

Done at Brussels, 8 October 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 181, 1. 7. 1992, p. 21.
(2) OJ L 126, 24. 5. 1996, p. 37.
(3) OJ L 147, 30. 6. 1995, p. 7.
(4) OJ L 266, 1. 10. 1998, p. 61.
(5) OJ L 219, 7. 8. 1998, p. 3.